"The Dirt" Trailrunning Podcast

Big Foot 200 with Katie O'Connor

Michele & Kaleb chat with Katie O'Connor about her finish at Big Foot 200. Katie gives great insight on preparing her crew, managing the course, and shares a ton of knowledge that would be helpful to anyone looking to run a 200+ mile race.  

Run/Bike Commuting

In this episode of ‘Coffee with Coaches’, Loretta & Reese have fun talking about Run/Bike commuting to & from work! What should you think about before your trip?  How do you stay clean & fresh after a run/bike commute?  What are other tips/tricks to have an enjoyable experience?  All answered on this episode!

Mental Performance Coaching-Adam Popp

Join OMR coaches Loretta & Reese as they interview, the one & only, Adam Popp! Adam Popp is a mental performance coach who specializes in teaching skills to help unlock an athlete’s mental-potential. Adam has masters degrees in rehabilitation & clinical counseling as well as performance psychology. In addition to this, Adam is an ultra-endurance competitor that has set numerous records while helping to establish more robust record-keeping for Para-athletes. Topics included : Who is Ada...

Mesquite Canyon 50 mile

This weeks episode with Michele & Kaleb -Cocodona 250 Training -Mesquite Canyon 50 mile race recap -What's up with Michele & Kaleb for 2024

Back to the Basics

“In this episode of Coffee with Coaches, Loretta & Reese get back to basics & host a classic “catch up” episode. Both coaches discuss a multitude of topics, such as their athletes, their own personal experiences over the last few weeks, personal injuries, LT1 vs LT 2, & what the heck is a “tempo” run? Tune in, share, rate, & send this podcast to an athlete in your circle! “

Black Canyon 100k/60k race recap

Thinking about racing Black Canyon 100k/60k, this is the podcast to listen to! Kaleb Stephens & Michele Hartwig discuss their 2024 race finishes.... Kaleb ran the 100k and Michele ran the 60k. We dive into how Coach Kaleb used this race as a training run for Cocodona 250. Fun chat to help prepare you for a run at this awesome race!

All things Backyard Ultra

Welcome to another ‘Coffee with Coaches episode about all things BACKYARD ULTRA! OMR coaches Loretta, Reese, & special guest Madeline Harms, have an insightful conversation about all aspects of Backyard racing! Learn about loop & interloopal strategy, mindset, gear sections, food, as well as what specific training looks like for coach Madeline’s upcoming Backyard event! Remember to rate, like, subscribe, & share the podcast with an athlete who could benefit!

Mental Skills for Ultrarunning

Join us this week for a fun conversation with OMR coaches Loretta, Reese, & Katie O’Connor as they reveal their mental skills for ultrarunning! What are the skills? How do you practice them in training & everyday life? How can you apply them into your races? There’s so much knowledge you’ll need a paper & pen for this one! Remember to, rate, share, & like the podcasts if you enjoy them & follow us on all social media platforms socials!

"Say "WUT"? Shannon O'Grady from Gnarly Nutrition

“ Say “WUT”? In this episode of Coffee with Coaches, Loretta & Reese are joined by Shannon O’Grady from Gnarly Nutrition to talk endurance training, hydration, electrolyte intake, & sweat science! WUT stands for Weight, Urine, & Thirst, but listen in to find out how those relate to your hydration status! Special thanks to Shannon & Gnarly Nutrition for their partnership with OMR to keep our athletes hydrated & running strong out on the trails!” https://www.instagram.com/gnarstoolpodca...

OMR Grand SLAM

Join us on “Coffee with Coaches” as we discuss the OMR GRAND SLAM & how athlete Mary Stanbary plans to conquer the Kettle Moraine, Midwest States, & Hennepin 100 mile races in one calendar year! Also joining us today is her coach, Lindsay Phenix, to help us understand what goes into preparing for a BIG year! Topic covered include : Mary’s background in running Mindset going into a big endeavor Work-life balance & nutrition   Don’t miss out, & visit our website for more informat...

Life Running & the Pursuit of Cocodona 250

Life, Running, & the pursuit of Cocodona 250! Join coaches Loretta, Reese, & special guest coach Kaleb as they discuss how to manage training for BIG goals & how they wrap into a bigger picture. How is Coach Kaleb thinking about training, eating, sleeping, & enjoying the experience of Cocodona 250? Tune in, find out, & share the podcast with others if you find a gold-nugget!

Lets Get Loopy with 24-hour Track Events

On this episode of Coffee with Coaches, OMR coaches Loretta & & Reese are joined by OMR Coach Jacob Moss to talk all things 24-hour track racing! Why run 24 hours on a track? How do I begin the preparation? What will it be like at a track race? Jacob & Loretta lay down some insight on all topics so that YOU can go in with the knowledge to succeed! Also, follow Jacob & other runners as they try to qualify for the USA 24-hour team at his race, “The Raven 24-hour” on February 17th!

Winter Running - Tips & Tricks

Join Coach Loretta and Coach Reese as they share theirs secrets to success for cold weather running. In this episode you'll learn about winter gear, nutrition and hydration tips and cross training. What do you do when winter weather conditions change your plans? They've go you covered!

Pelvic Floor-It's not just about Kegeling!

“Pelvic floor - it’s not just about kegeling!   Welcome back after the holiday break! OMR Coaches Loretta & Reese are excited to be back & talking with Dr. Liesle Elsey about all things Pelvic floor!   What is it? How does it help athletic performance? How do I prevent leaking while running?   Share the podcast - this is an incredibly important (& seldomly addressed) topic within our sport. Let’s normalize these conversations so we can all reach that next “best” in our athletic c...

Best Moments of 2023

Michele Chat with Nicki, Sid, Lilly, Efrain, and Krystal the Pistol about the moments that made 2023 memorable Find out what we have in store for 2024: www.ornerymuleracing.com

Our Favorite Gear for the cold

Every day runners Michele, Kyle, and Natalie talk about winter running. Everything from choosing where to run, our personal essential winter running gear, and managing run work outs during the cold winter months.   _______________________________   Michele's favorites gear: Hillsound FreeSteps 6 for running icy snowy trails - https://www.amazon.com/Hillsound-FreeSteps6-All-Purpose-Traction-Conditions/dp/B008RQUE6E?th=1ornerymuler04-20   EltaMD tinted face 41 SPF mineral sunscree...

Training for a Mountain Ultra

The Dirt Trail Running Podcast-Coaches Edition with Coach Loretta, Coach Reese and special guest Coach Steph. This episode Coach Steph Dannenberg shares her experiences and expertise as a mountain runner and coach. If you are thinking about running an mountain ultra this is a talk you won't want to miss. Even Coach Reese and Coach Loretta gained some tools for their coaching tool box. @ornerymulecoaching

HIIT and LSD

In this episode Coach Reese and Coach Loretta rap about two training components: HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and LSD (Long Slow Distance or as Coach Reese refers to it LED Long Easy Distance). Learn the whens and whys of HIIT and LSD.

Transition Season and Race Planning

In this episode, Coach Loretta and Coach Reese explore training cycles with a special emphasis on transition season and race planning. Go into your racing season ready to train and not having to get back into shape. Take advantage of transition season to work on your challenges!   Sit back, listen and grab a bit of knowledge to plan a transition season with purpose and get ready to plan your race season for next year and beyond!

Midwest States 100 Race Recap

That Is Ultra Running. Stop Beating Yourself Up About Your DNF.

That’s Ultrarunning, get up & try again! Join OMR coaches Loretta & Reese as they pick apart the meaning of DNFs & drop-downs. Do we let them define us, or do we let them inform us how to be race better in the future? Coach Loretta approached Reese with this idea after his lackluster drop-down from the 2023 Tunnel Hill 100 mile to the 50 mile. You can bet it’s still fresh in his mind, listen to his thoughts & reflections after facing this himself.

Coaches View Javelina Jundred & Tunnel Hill

Come warm up with OMR coaches Loretta, Reese, & Kaleb Stephens as they talk about their racing strategies for two vastly different races - Javelina Jundred & Tunnel Hill! Listen as coach Kaleb gives insight about how he trained for & raced in the Arizona desert. Including tips about headlamp use, gearing, loop strategy, & effort moderation for a 100 mile race! Contrasting this is how coach Reese plans to execute his upcoming 100 mile race at Tunnel Hill. If you like the pod, subscribe ...

Coach Madeline Harms

Join 3 OMR coaches on today’s show! Coaches Loretta and Reese interview coach Madeline Harms and discuss all things about her running background, life, her interesting daytime profession, recent running success (& difficulties) & coaching style given a busy life! No only is she speedy, but Madeline has raced a multitude of distances and terrains & has years of experience. Get to know OMR coach Madeline Harms in this episode.

The Dirt on ATRA Conference

Head Mule~ Michele sits down with Natalie Brunson and Kyle Braund to chat about our trip to Mukilteo, Washington and attending ATRA conference 2023. Kyle is a 21 year old new trail runner that is interested in working in the sport. Tim Tollefson was the keynote speaker of conference and Kyle shares how Tim has helped him.  Natalie is a long time trail runner, with 9 kids, and passionate about making time for herself to run trails. We share a little about ourselves as runners, and our experie...

The One Where Dr. Liesle Elsey Talks About Running Niggles

“Wow what a great episode! Join us while OMR Coaches Loretta & Reese interview Dr. Liesle Elsey, a Physical Therapist based in Michigan about common injuries most of us have experienced. Join as they discuss Hamstring cramps, Quad tightness, calf soreness, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, & much more! This conversation was anything but boring. Great things happen in a chat room full of nerds!

Hennepin 100 Race Recap 2023

Race Day -Expect the Unexpected

What are you not thinking about before your next race? Join Coaches Loretta & Reese for a conversation exploring the factors often overlooked by athletes when planning for a goal race! @ornerymulecoaching

Coach Lindsay Phenix

Join OMR Coaches Loretta & Reese with special guest, Coach Lindsay Phenix! Coach Lindsay has a robust and lengthy resume, including Badwater, Angeles Crest 100, and Tunnel Hill (to name a few). Listen while she shares her background, experience, coaching style, heat training philosophy, & wisdom about all distances. Coach Lindsay is an incredible athlete, teacher, & motivator. We at Ornery Mule Coaching are thrilled to work so closely with her. @ornerymulecoaching

All Things Hennepin Hundred

This week on “Coffee with Coaches” - a thorough look the Hennepin trail races. What will the course be like? What gear should I use? How do I visualize the distance? Who will I be racing with? All questions are answered in great detail with your OMR coaches, Loretta, and Reese. Both coaches have experience with this race, yet they are always looking for other views on how to succeed! Drop a comment with your opinions & let’s all get stronger & faster while enjoying the journey. @ornery...

Tips for Training and Running a 200 Mile Race

Gather around your listening player of choice, we have OMR coach Katie O’Connor sharing her wisdom about ultras, coaching, being coached, & about her recent Bigfoot 200 mile race. Having coached with OMR for over 2 years, Katie has helped many athletes & continues to love talking & learning about the ultra-endurance sports. Listen to her views on coaching her athletes, preparing for big goals, & overcoming obstacles & doubt. Don’t miss out on this one & remember to rate, subscribe, & com...

Get the Dirt on Ornery Mule Run Coach Jacob Moss

In this episode, Coach Loretta and Coach Reese chat with our newest coach, Jacob Moss. Jacob is a professional runner and coach. He shares about his experience running and his philosophy on coaching. If you are looking for a top notch coach, check out Coach Jacob Moss. trailrun.coach

Work, Life Balance and Running

In this episode Coaches Reese and Loretta chat with one of Ornery Mule Coachings newest coaches, Coach Shannon Hogan. Shannon is a mom, ultrarunner, coach and teacher from Minnesota. She has both personal and coaching experience specializing coaching to balance with work and life.

Reese Slobodianuk talks Kettle 2023

Strength and Mobility for Runners

In this episode, Coach Loretta and Physical Therapist, Dr. Liesle Elsey explore and share tips about mobility and strength training for athletes. You'll hear both a coach's and physical therapist's perspective. They also walk through what our virtual physical therapy consultation entails.

Are you recovering or adapting?

In this episode, Coach Reese and Coach Loretta share about recovering, adapting and super compensation. Coach Reese shows a super cool super compensation graph. Take a listen and gain great pieces of knowledge to add to your training regime toolkit!

How to Reflect on Running Workouts

OMR coaches Loretta & Reese share their thoughts on how to view your workouts when determining success in training. They also share tips on structuring your watch to run you through your more complex workouts.

High School Ultrarunner: Marek's Story

Join OMR coaches Loretta & Reese for a conversation with Marek Butkewickz - a high schooler turned ultra aficionado. They talk about Marek’s past & up ringing with running, how he balances XC, travk, & Ultra training, as well as his performance at the backyard style race - “Ode to Laz”!

Western States 100 - Race Recap

Michele rode with Craig Thornley (WS100 RD) then helped at the finish line for a front row seat to the race! Nicki, Sid and Kyle went to aid stations to spectate. We talk about our experience on both sides of the race! Next up is our trip around California! Yosemite, vineyards and more!

ITB Solution

In today's episode Coach Loretta walks through with Coach Reese his training build after Kettle 100 and his current "flare up" of his ITB. Through reflection, Reese shares what the possible cause was and what he will do differently moving forward. He shares knowledge on how to work through an ITB issue.

Coaches Make Mistakes too!

On this episode of Ornery Mule Racing’s ‘Coffee with Coaches’, Loretta & Reese ramble on their current lives & cross-training adventures. Then, they get to the meat of the episode with a good discussion about their personal training & racing mistakes.

Lloyd Hardman- Kettle Moraine 38 mile fun run

Lloyd Hardman is a Chicago police officer that has found a love for trail running and connected with the trail running community. Lloyd finished Kettle Moraine 38 mile Fun Run. We chats about how trail running has helped him come out of his shell, how he manages training with a stressful work schedule, and much more. Lloyd started his running with Black Chicago Runners and is also very involved in the Ornery Mule Racing trail running community.

Are you preparing for your first 50 mile race?

Are you preparing for your first 50 mile race? Are you stepping up from the 50k distance & wondering what it will take to tackle your biggest athletic challenge to date? In this episode, OMR coaches Loretta & Reese discuss the differences between training, racing, nutrition, & mindset when making the leap from 50k racing to 50 mile racing. Even the veterans will find some interesting view points in here.

Success & Failure in Ultrarunning

Ultrarunning is clean-cut & black & white, right? Wrong. There’s nuance, there’s struggle, there’s success & failure in every race - whether we hit our goals or not. In this episode, OMR coaches Loretta & Reese reconvene after a brief hiatus to discuss their failures in success, & success in failure with their recent races.   This episode has it all - racing strategy, psychology, life lessons, & personal experience.

Galena Sky '23 Race Recap - Part 2

Galena Sky '23 Race Recap - Part 1

Kyle Braund joins OMR crew to talk about running his first Galena Sky Trail race. He crushed the 4 hour race with 28.59 miles to finish 2nd overall. Right behind Reese Slobodianuk who set a course record with 31.01 miles. It is fun to hear how he prepared, managed the course and his thoughts on the community. 

Crewing an Ultramarathon

Crewing an Ultramarathon! What is crew? Who are crew? When can you use crew? What should you consider for your crew?   Today, OMR Coach Loretta schools coach Reese on the ins & outs of what it means to be crewed during an ultra. Get ready for a knowledge bomb that's hotter than a pair of chaffed thighs.

Galena Sky Race from Coaches View

This week brings you another discussion between coaches Loretta & Reese about Galena Sky Race! Get a taste of what you’ll encounter during this looped course & how you can prepare for the event! The coaches talk about training, fueling, course specifics, & even some entertaining stories from Coach Reese’s experience at the race.

Sarah Krebs Upcoming Thru-Run on the Ice Age Trail

What does it take to run for a cause, prepare for a journey, & attempt the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail? This week, coaches Loretta & Reese have an in-depth conversation with Sarah Krebs before she embarks on her IAT thru-run attempt. They discuss the critical components of Sarah’s goal that include “why”, “how”, & “how long”. There’s value in Sarah’s story for everyone to hear - you won’t want to miss it!

Earth Day Race Recap- Loving Memory of Jim Briscoe

  This episode is in loving memory of James "Jim" Briscoe. August 15, 1959 - April 28, 2023   Our running family is very important to us. The OMR team gathered together after Earth Day Trail Races to recap the event. It meant a lot to us to be able to have Jim Briscoe on our show. We recorded the Wednesday after Earth Day. Jim eloquently talks about his love for the running community and shares wise words from his heart. We were all heartbroken when Jim left us here on Earth a couple d...

Get the Scoop on Kettle Moraine 100 & tips for racing ultras!

Kettle Moraine 100, it's that time again! Get the inside edge about the course and what it takes to have a strong finish with OMR coaches Loretta & Reese. Not running Kettle? No worries, you'll find something to take away for your next race.